For the first time in program history, Binghamton captured the America East softball regular-season title as the Bearcats completed a 14-3 season to claim the crown. The Bearcats also secured the No. 1 seed for next week's conference championship and will host the tournament. The remaining seeds and matchups for the 2016 championship were set Saturday, the final day of the regular season.
The tournament will feature six teams for the first time in 20 seasons. The four-day double-elimination tournament will take place May 11-14 at the Bearcat Softball Complex.
Maine will be the No. 2 seed, its best since 2009, while Albany is No. 3, Stony Brook No. 4, UMBC No. 5 and Hartford No. 6.
The tournament begins on Wednesday with No. 4 Stony Brook facing No. 5 UMBC at 11 a.m. and No. 3 Albany taking on No. 6 Hartford at 1:30 p.m. The two losing teams will play an elimination game at 4 p.m. The top seeds, No. 1 Binghamton and No. 2 Maine, will be in action on Thursday, along with another elimination game. Three more games will be played Friday while the championship games will be played on Saturday. The league champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Softball Championship.
Binghamton (32-13, 14-3 AE) swept a doubleheader from Hartford (6-43, 2-14 AE), 9-1 and 10-2 Saturday, to run its program-record win total to 32. The Hawks are in the tournament for the first time since 2013.
Maine (25-19, 12-5 AE) took two of three from UMBC (24-29, 5-11 AE) to secure the No. 2 seed. The Black Bears have their most wins since 2009. The Retrievers are back in the championship after missing it last year.
Stony Brook (24-22-2, 11-6 AE) took two of three from Albany (31-16, 11-5 AE) but the Great Danes' victory in game three secured them the No. 3 seed and the Seawovles fell to No. 4.
Visit Championship Central for complete updates throughout the tournament.
2016 America East Softball Championship
At Binghamton University
Wednesday, May 11
Game #1 – #4 Stony Brook vs. #5 UMBC –11:00 a.m.
Game #2 – #3 Albany vs. #6 Hartford – 1:30 p.m.
Game #3 – Loser Game #1 vs. Loser Game #2 – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 12
Game #4 – #1 Binghamton vs. Winner Game #1 – 11:00 a.m.
Game #5 – #2 Maine vs. Winner Game #2 – 1:30 p.m.
Game #6 – Winner Game #3 vs. Loser Game #4/5 (Lower Seed) – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 13
Game #7 – Winner Game #4 vs. Winner Game #5 – 11:00 a.m.
Game #8 – Winner Game #6 vs. Loser Game #4/5 (Higher Seed) – 1:30 p.m.
Game #9 – Winner Game #8 vs. Loser Game #7 – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 14
Game #10 – Championship Game: Winner Game #7 vs. Winner Game #9 – 12:00 p.m.
Game #11 – If necessary game (if first loss for loser of Game #10):
Winner Game #10 vs. Loser Game #10 – 2:30 p.m.